My Blog

Posts for category: Cold Feet

With the first blasts of wintry weather we at Affiliated Foot & Ankle Care see a predictable increase in cold weather related foot issues. While it’s normal for your feet to feel cold when the weather changes, especially in the beginning of the winter season, perpetually cold feet that have trouble warming up can be a sign of a medical condition. Most often cold feet problems are caused by a circulatory issue. Blood has the farthest to flow to your feet and so they are often the coldest part of your body and also can be the first place that a circulatory disorder shows up. Some possible conditions that have cold feet as a symptom include:

Peripheral Vascular Disease (PVD)—with this condition there is a blockage or narrowing of the arteries which restricts the blood flow.

Diabetes—poor circulation is often associated with this disease. An added complication—neuropathy or loss of sensation—may mean your feet can be cold without your realizing it. For this reason it’s important to always wear socks even when sleeping to keep feet warm.

Raynaud’s Phenomenon—with this condition cold causes spasms in the blood vessels in the toes and fingers. Digits will turn white and then blue or red and can take up to 20 minutes to return to normal once they are warmed up.

Medications—certain medications such as beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure, ergotamine medications for migraines and cold meds that contain pseudoephrine all can cause blood vessels to constrict and make your feet cold.

Other Medical Conditions—in addition to the circulatory disorders above there are other health issues that can cause cold feet. These include: fibromyalgia, nerve disorders, autoimmune diseases such as lupus and scleroderma and hormonal problems such as hypothyroidism.

Since there are a wide variety of disorders that can cause cold feet it’s essential that you make an appointment with one of our podiatrists, Dr. Varun Gujral or Dr. Nrupa Shah to track down the source of this symptom. The foot doctor will start by examining your feet and also taking a complete medical history. Depending on what the podiatrist finds lab, imaging or nerve tests may be ordered. It’s important to diagnose cold feet sooner rather than later, particularly since some of the potential causes pose a serious medical threat. Contact our Edison, Monroe or Monmouth Junction office by calling: 732-662-3050.

It’s starting to be that time of year again! Flowers are blooming, birds are chirping, and love is in the air. You might already have a few “save-the-dates” or wedding invitations already stuck on your refrigerator door. Weddings usually go off without a hitch, but when it seems like we’ve been waiting just a little too long for the bride to walk down the aisle, we can’t help but wonder: “What if she got cold feet!?” While we can’t fix your wedding day jitters here at Affiliated Foot and Ankle Care, we can help you keep away cold feet…literally!

Many people live with cold feet, and never think that it could be symptom of a major underlying condition. You might be thinking, “Well, my feet have always been cold,” or, “My mom and grandmother have cold feet – it’s just hereditary.” Just because something is hereditary doesn’t mean that you’re in the clear – remember: heart disease is hereditary too! Your cold feet could be indicative of a more serious condition such as: peripheral vascular disease, heart disease, hypothyroidism, fibromyalgia, or a peripheral neuropathy to name a few.

That being said, if you do find yourself a few minutes away from the alter and notice your feet are cold, don’t ditch the wedding for your favorite New Jersey podiatrist just yet! As it turns out, the stress and excitement create a physiological condition that redirects our blood away from our feet to vital organs that need it most. This is the same reason your palms may get cold and clammy before a big presentation at work. So, if you notice you have cold feet even when you aren’t in high-stress mode, it might be a symptom of a more serious underlying condition. Because of this, and it is in your best interest to make an appointment with your local podiatrist at Affiliated Foot and Ankle Care in Edison and Monroe NJ today!